First Avenue Tokyo Station
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Tokyo Station (JR Tokaido Shinkansen, JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line)
- Hours
- Tokyo Character Street 10:00–20:30; Tokyo Okashi Land 9:00–21:00; Tokyo Ramen Street 10:30–23:00 (L.O. 22:30); Tokyo Gift Palette Mon–Fri 9:30–20:30, weekends/holidays 9:00–20:30; Tokyo Gourmet Zone Mon–Sat 11:00–23:00, Sun/holidays 11:00–22:00
- Admission
- Free
- Time needed
- 45–90 min
- Best time to go
- Weekday mornings between 10:00 and 11:30 to enter Tokyo Character Street and Tokyo Ramen Street before the midday lunch queues form.
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Located directly beneath Tokyo Station, this vibrant underground complex is a paradise for pop-culture fans and foodies alike. It features Character Street, packed with official shops for Studio Ghibli, Pokémon, and Sailor Moon, alongside the famous Ramen Street showcasing top-tier noodle shops. It is the perfect, weather-proof spot to grab unique souvenirs and a world-class meal right before boarding your Shinkansen.
What Japanese guides note
First Avenue Tokyo Station is situated entirely outside the station ticket gates on the Yaesu side. Passengers arriving by train must exit through the gates—most directly via the Yaesu Underground Central Gate—to reach the shops and restaurants. Leaving the gated area will end a standard single-journey ticket without stopover privileges, requiring another fare to re-enter the platforms. Non-traveling visitors can access every level directly from street level or connecting underground passages without buying a platform ticket.
Details from local sources
- The entire commercial facility sits outside the JR ticket gates along the eastern Yaesu side of Tokyo Station. [source]
- The complex is owned and operated by Tokyo Station Development Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of JR Central rather than JR East. [source]
- The 1F Tokyo Gift Palette section uses recycled aluminum reclaimed from retired Tokaido Shinkansen 700 Series carriages for its interior pillars, noren banners, and ceiling trims. [source]
- The complex spans three vertical levels, grouping Tokyo Ramen Street, Tokyo Character Street, and Tokyo Okashi Land on B1F, gift retail on 1F, and Tokyo Gourmet Zone on 2F. [source]
- Tokyo Okashi Land features live demonstration kitchens where major Japanese confectioners including Calbee, Glico, and Morinaga cook snacks on site. [source]
- First Avenue Tokyo Station is a standalone facility separate from the adjacent Yaechika underground shopping arcade, despite being directly connected to it underground. [source]
Insider Tip
To avoid massive queues at Ramen Street, aim to eat during off-peak hours like 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM or right before shops close.
Frequently asked
Is First Avenue Tokyo Station inside or outside the ticket gates?
It is entirely outside the ticket gates. Arriving passengers must clear the turnstiles to access the complex. Those holding basic transit tickets should note that exiting the gates ends the journey unless travelling on an eligible long-distance Shinkansen ticket with stopover rules.
Which Tokyo Station gate is closest to Tokyo Character Street and Ramen Street?
The Yaesu Underground Central Gate leads directly to the B1 level of First Avenue Tokyo Station. Exiting this gate puts Tokyo Character Street immediately to the left and Tokyo Ramen Street straight ahead and to the right.
What makes Tokyo Okashi Land different from regular snack shops?
Tokyo Okashi Land hosts company-run flagship outlets from major snack makers including Calbee, Morinaga, and Kameda Seika. Unlike standard packaged souvenir stores, these branches feature live kitchen areas that prepare warm potato chips, churros, and freshly seasoned rice crackers on demand.
Are luggage lockers available inside First Avenue Tokyo Station?
Yes, electronic coin lockers are located across the complex, notably along the basement walkways near the Yaesu Underground Central Gate. Locker clusters feature distinctive animal illustrations on the doors to help visitors remember which locker bank holds their items.
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